Operation ready transportable data center in a shipping container

ABSTRACT

A movable data center is disclosed that comprises a portable container in which an operable computer system is assembled. A data link, power supply link and cooling system are provided through ports on the exterior of the container. The computer system is assembled to a rack that is secured to the container with a shock absorbing mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a data processing center that is housedin a movable enclosure.

2. Background of the Invention

Data processing centers are normally housed in conventional buildingstructures. Data processing centers generally require a substantialamount of space in an office building or manufacturing facility.Normally, areas must be provided in a data processing center forpersonnel work space that generally must conform to applicable safetystandards and building code requirements. Data processing centers mustalso provide security for computer systems housed within the dataprocessing center.

Data processing centers are designed to provide a controlled environmentfor efficient operation of computer systems. It is well known thatcomputers operate more effectively when they are properly cooled. Inconventional data processing centers, cooling is normally provided bybuilding air conditioning systems that air condition the interior spaceof a building with conventional HVAC technology. Fans provided oncomputer equipment are used to circulate cool interior building airacross integrated circuit chips, circuit boards, and power supplies.Data processing centers must also be protected from moisture andhumidity that can adversely impact computer systems. Physical protectionof valuable computer equipment must also be provided by the buildinghousing the data processing center.

Businesses and institutions may periodically require expansion of dataprocessing centers. Building a new data processing center or expandingan existing data processing center requires a substantial commitment oftime and resources. Architectural plans generally must be created thatincorporate all of the necessary features and that also comply withlocal building codes. Data processing operations must continue withoutinterruption if a new or expanded data processing center is to replaceor is to be integrated into an existing data processing center.

A substantial amount of time may be required to replace or expand anexisting data processing center. Construction of a new building housinga data processing center must comply with applicable building codes.Building permits must be obtained from local government agencies thatmay take a substantial amount of time due to the complexity of dataprocessing center designs.

Data processing centers generally must be designed to uniquespecifications depending upon the data processing, data storage, andfacilities required by the business or institution. While each dataprocessing center is uniquely designed, all must meet the same basicrequirements of providing a power source, a back-up power source, aneffective cooling system, and access for service to the computer systemcomponents.

Computer systems incorporated into a data processing center generallyare installed on site and must be configured according to theperformance requirements of the data processing center. A substantialamount of wiring is required to connect individual components of acomputer system together into a data center facility. The wiring mustgenerally be done on site by skilled personnel who are contractedgenerally from computer system manufacturing companies. If the dataprocessing center includes equipment from multiple computer systemsuppliers, integration of the different computer systems may result inproblems relating to system configuration.

Data processing centers must provide adequate security to preventvandalism and theft and also must provide adequate protection againstphysical damage to the computer systems housed within the dataprocessing center. Humidity must be carefully controlled in dataprocessing centers. Data processing centers must also afford protectionagainst fire and damage to the computer systems housed within the dataprocessing center, and protection from flooding.

Data centers are normally housed in a building and are not portable.Care must be exercised in moving computer systems to prevent damage tosensitive wiring traces, pin connectors, integrated circuits, coolingfans and the like. Physical shocks or vibration may damage sensitivecomputer equipment if the computer equipment is moved without adequateprotection.

The above problems and needs are addressed by applicants' invention assummarized below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a movable data centercomprises a portable container for an operable computer system. As usedherein, the term “movable data center” should be understood to be anarticle of manufacture similar to a piece of equipment and not a part ofa building. The computer system is assembled to a rack that is disposedin the portable container. The rack is secured to the container with ashock absorbing mount. The shock absorbing mount includes a base supportand a top restraint. A data link connects the computer system to aterminal in the container. A power supply link is provided for thecomputer system that is connected to a power supply disposed outside thecontainer. A cooling system includes a heat exchange module that takesheat generated by the computer system from inside the container andtransfers the heat outside the container.

According to other aspects of the invention, the base support mayinclude a self-damping resilient spring. The base support may include atleast one coil of wire rope that is wound about a horizontal axis andsecured between the rack and the container. The base support may alsoinclude at least one skid that is secured to the rack through a shockabsorbing mechanism. The top restraint may include a pin that is securedto a bracket that is attached to the container, The pin is received in abushing that defines an opening that permits limited movement of the pinrelative to the bushing. The pin may be retained by the bracket thatsupports the pin for vertical movement to allow the rack to bedisconnected from the container. The bushing may be a resilient blockhaving an opening that faces a top wall of the container. The openingreceives the pin so that the pin is permitted to move in any directionin a horizontal plane above the rack.

According to another aspect of the invention, the container may includea floor that is secured to the container by a shock absorbing mountingarrangement.

According to other aspects of the invention relating to the coolingsystem, the cooling system may be a chilled water cooling systemincluding a chiller located outside the container that provides chilledwater to the heat exchange module. The chiller may be disposed in asecond portable container. Alternatively, the chiller may be part of astatic structure such as a building that is located adjacent thecontainer.

According to other aspects of the invention relating to the power supplylink, the power supply link may include at least one electrical panel ofcircuit breakers that is attached to an inside portion of the containerwherein the power supply link further comprises power wiring to thecomputer system. The power supply link may also provide power to adehumidifier disposed within the container. The data link may include anEthernet switch disposed in the container that is accessible from theoutside of the container. The power supply link also provides power tothe Ethernet switch.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a plurality ofracks may be provided in the container wherein each rack supports aplurality of servers that are configured to cooperate as a unit toprovide data processing for a computer network disposed outside thecontainer. At least one of the racks may support a plurality of datastorage apparatus.

According to another aspect of the invention, a movable data center isprovided that comprises a shipping container in which a preconfigureddata processing system is operatively disposed. The data processingsystem processes data and is accessible from outside the container via adata link. A power distribution system is operatively disposed in thecontainer that distributes power to the data processing system and isaccessible from outside the container via a power distribution link. Acooling system is operatively disposed in the shipping container fortransferring heat from inside the container to outside the container viaa substantially air-tight access port.

According to other aspects of the invention as it relates to the movabledata center, the data processing system may be substantially isolatedfrom shock and vibration applied to the container. The shippingcontainer is effective to shield the data processing system fromelectromagnetic waves applied to the container.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art in view of the attached drawings anddetailed description of the illustrated embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable data center made according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the data center that is shown separatedfrom the shipping container;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the portable data center taken alongline 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic, partially cross-sectional, top plan view ofthe portable data center showing the closed-loop air flow path takenalong the line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are side elevation views of a side loading containertruck that may be used to transport a portable data center;

FIG. 6A is a diagrammatic view of a plurality of heat exchanger modulesdisposed in a heat exchanger/cooling fan tower that is shown in phantomand also shows a portion of the chilled water circulation pipe network;

FIG. 6B is a diagrammatic perspective view of a plurality of fan modulesdisposed in a heat exchanger/cooling fan tower that is shown in phantom;

FIG. 6C is a front elevation view of a heat exchanger/cooling fan tower;

FIG. 6D is a diagrammatic elevation view of the heat exchanger/coolingfan tower;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of two computer racks includingcomputer modules, the data cables, and power lines shown within theportable data center;

FIG. 8A is a fragmentary front elevation view of a upper rack mountsecured to the container and also showing an upper portion of a computerrack that is secured by a pin to the upper rack mount;

FIG. 8B is a fragmentary front elevation view similar to FIG. 8A butshowing the computer rack being shifted toward a center aisle with thepin of the upper rack mount disconnected from the computer rack;

FIG. 8C is an exploded perspective view of the upper rack mount and thepin;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a skid connected to a shock mountsupport coil;

FIG. 10A is a fragmentary perspective view showing a dolly in positionto be inserted beneath a computer rack;

FIG. 10B is a fragmentary perspective view of the dolly disposed belowthe computer rack as the dolly is adjusted to lift the weight of thecomputer rack off of the shock mount support coils and skids;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram, top plan view of the portable data centershowing the control station taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a portion of the inputs to andoutputs from the control station; and

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a strategy for controlling the fans withinthe data center.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a portable data center 10 is shown that is enclosedwithin a movable enclosure, for example, a shipping container 12. Asused herein the term “shipping container” refers to a standardized steelshipping container that is used to transport goods on ships, trains andtrucks. The shipping container 12 includes two sidewalls 14 on oppositesides that are joined on their upper edges to a top wall 16. A base wall18 connects the bottom of the sidewalls 14. A floor 20 is preferably awooden floor to which fasteners may be easily secured that is disposedabove the base wall 16. The shipping container has a front end 22 and aback end 24 that are provided with doors (shown in FIG. 4).

Inside the shipping container 12, a plurality of computer racks 26 arearranged in two banks adjacent to the two sidewalls 14. A plurality ofheat exchanger/cooling fan towers 28 are provided within the shippingcontainer. The computer racks 26 may be arranged alternately with theheat exchanger/cooling fan towers 28. The shipping container 12 has afront opening 32 that is normally provided with a door (shown in FIG.4). Both sidewalls 14 of the shipping container 12 are provided with apower terminal 34, a data connection port 36, and a chilled waterconnection port 38. A GPS antenna and cell phone antenna receptacle 40may be provided in the top wall 16 of the shipping container 12 so thatthe location of the portable data center 10 may be monitored forsecurity.

Referring to FIG. 2, the portable data center 10 is shown with theshipping container 12 removed to facilitate viewing the arrangement ofthe interior of the data center 10. Computer racks 26 support computermodules (shown in FIG. 7). Four computer racks 26 are shown adjacent onesidewall 14 and three computer racks are shown adjacent the othersidewall 14. The number of computer racks may vary depending upon therequirements for the data center 10. Heat exchanger/cooling fan towers28 are shown assembled to the data center 10 in an alternating fashionbetween adjacent computer racks 26. Fan modules 44 are included as partof the heat exchanger/cooling fan towers 28. Alternatively, the fanmodules 44 and heat exchange modules 48 could be separately assembled.Each of the fan modules 44 may include two fans 46 that are mounted inthe tower 28 adjacent to the heat exchange modules 48. The fans 46 areauxiliary fans that may be used to increase or control the speed of theair circulating around the data center 10. Variable speed fans 46 may beprovided that may be controlled based upon the cooling requirements ofthe computer equipment disposed on the computer rack 26. The fans 46preferably draw air from the computer modules and direct that air towardthe heat exchange modules 48. The fans 46 and heat exchange modules 48are mounted in a tower frame 50. The tower frame 50 is suspended fromthe top wall 16 of the container 12 by means of hanger clamps 52 as willbe more fully described below.

A particulate filter 54 may be provided in the air flow path to removeparticulates from the air as it circulates in the data center 10.

A chilled fluid supply pipe 56 and a chilled fluid return pipe 58 formpart of the chilled water circulation pipe network 30. Chilled water isprovided by the chilled fluid supply pipe 56 to the heat exchangemodules 48. After the chilled water is circulated through the heatexchange modules 48 the fluid is returned to a chiller that is locatedoutside the container 12 through the fluid return pipe 58.

Two circuit breaker panels 60 are provided on opposite sidewalls 14 ofthe shipping container 12. The two circuit breaker panels 60 arepreferably redundant circuit breaker panels that facilitate connectingthe portable data center 10 to either a primary power supply, analternate power supply, or a backup power supply. The circuit breakerpanels 60 are connected to power distribution mains 62 that providepower to the portable data center 10. The power distribution mains 62are disposed adjacent the sidewalls 14, the top portion of the computerracks 26, and the top portion of the heat exchanger/cooling fan towers28.

An articulated carrier 66 and a central cable tray 68 are provided tosupport data cables (shown in FIG. 7). The articulated carrier 66supports the data cables so that the computer racks 26 may be movedwithout disconnecting the data cables from computer modules (shown inFIG. 7). The central cable tray 68 is a static member that supports thedata cables that extend from computers on the racks to a network switch(shown in FIG. 11). The cables may also be routed directly to the outputof the container. As an alternative, the racks could each have a networkswitch to reduce the number of cables going through the articulatedcarrier. Channels 70 are secured to the shipping container 12 tofacilitate assembling components of the data center to the shippingcontainer 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, the data center 10 is shown with the shippingcontainer 12 shown in phantom including the sidewalls 14, top wall 16,and base wall 18. Inside the shipping container 12, a floor 20 isprovided on which the computer rack 26 and heat exchanger/cooling fantower 28 are assembled. The computer rack 26 is supported from the topwall 16 by an upper rack mount 78. Each of the racks include a pluralityof rack shelves 80 on which a computer module (shown in FIG. 7) may beplaced. Generally, rack shelves 80 for computer racks 26 incorporatesliding mechanisms. The tower 28 supports fan modules 44 that includethe fans 46. The modules 44 are secured to the tower frame 50. The upperrack mount 78 shown above the tower 28 in FIG. 3 is actually connectedto the computer rack 26 that is disposed behind the tower 28. Thechilled water circulation pipe network 30 is shown at one end whereinthe pipe network 30 is routed adjacent the top wall 16 to provide anunobstructed floor area between the banks of computer racks 26 andtowers 28.

Referring to FIG. 4, the shipping container 12 is shown with a pair offront exterior doors 84 that close the front end 22 of the container 12.Inside the front exterior door 84, a front bulk head 86 includes a frontbulk head access panel 88. A set of back exterior doors 90 are providedto close the back end 24 of the container. The doors 84 and 90 are shownin solid lines in the closed position in FIG. 4 and are shown in phantomlines in the partially opened position. A closed-loop air flow path 96is defined by the two banks of computer racks 26 and towers 28. Theopposite sides of the center aisle 100 are sheathed with stainless steelwall panels 97 that limit air flow to a generally race trackconfiguration through each of the banks of computer racks 26 and towers28. The wall panels 97 may be attached to the center aisle 100 side ofthe computer racks 26 and the towers 28. Gaps between the panels may besealed with seals, such as, for example, brush-type seals 103. At thefront end of the container 12, plenum spaces are defined between theexterior doors 84 and the bulkhead 86 that direct the air flow in theclosed-loop air flow path 96 from one bank to the other. At the back endof the container, an inner door 101 is provided between the banks of thecomputer racks 26 and towers 28 inside the bulkhead 92 that defines aplenum space between the inner door 101 and the bulkhead 92. Theclosed-loop air flow path allows the fans 46 to direct air across theheat exchange modules 48 and then across the computers stored in thecomputer rack 26. The air within the container continually circulatesabout the closed-loop path 96 to ensure that clean dry air is circulatedacross the computers on the computer rack 26.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the fans 46 are arranged in banks A and B.Banks A and B are an adjacent pair within the closed loop air flow path96. Air exiting bank A enters bank B. Within banks A, B, a portion ofthe fans 46 are arranged in layers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, e.g., A1, A2, A3,A4, A5 and B1, B2, B3, B4, B5.

A dolly 98 is provided for moving the computer racks 26 from theirnormal position in the banks adjacent the sidewalls 14 to the centeraisle 100. The dolly 98 will be more specifically described below withreference to FIGS. 10A and 10B. The dolly 98 is used to move thecomputer racks 26 to the center aisle 100 if it is necessary to serviceany of the computers on the computer rack 28. The computer racks 26 areprovided with skids 102 that support the computer racks 26 and allow thecomputer racks to slide in and out of the banks on either side of thedata center 10. The dolly 98 is used to lift the weight of the computerracks 26 off of shock mount support coils 104 so that the computer racksmay be moved into and out of the center aisle 100.

The computer racks 26 are supported on shock mount support coils 104that secure the computer racks 26 to the skids 102. The shock mountsupport coils 104 are preferably coiled wire rope that is wound about anaxis that extends transversely from the center aisle 100 toward thesidewalls 104. The shock mount support coils 104 support the computerracks 26 and provide a self-damping shock absorbing mount for thecomputer racks 26 that protect the computer stored on the racks fromshocks and vibration during transportation of the portable data center10. When the portable data center 10 is transported, any vibrations orshocks are absorbed, in part, by the shock mount support coils 104.

A control station 108 is provided to allow space for a network switch,or other network connection switch, between the computer stored on thecomputer racks 26 and the data connection port 36.

An environmental monitoring system (shown in FIG. 11) may also beprovided at the control station 108. The environmental monitoring systemmonitors various sensors that detect conditions inside the container 12.The structure and function of the environmental monitoring system willbe described in more detail in reference to FIG. 11 below. Adehumidifier (shown in FIG. 11) may be provided in the control station108 to remove humidity from the air circulated in the closed-loop airflow path 96.

Referring to FIG. 5A, a side loading container truck 112 is shown thatincludes a front lift arm 114 and a back lift arm 116. As shown in FIG.5A, the lift arms 114, 116 are used to lift a portable data center 10onto the side loading container truck 112.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the side loading container truck 112 is shown withthe front lift arm 114 and the rear lift arm 116 in their loweredposition with the portable data center placed on the side loadingcontainer truck 112. The side loading container truck 112 has thecapability of lifting the portable data center 10 with a minimum ofshock and vibration and thereby protect the sensitive equipment insidethe data center 10.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the connection of the heat exchanger/cooling fantower 28 to the chilled water circulation pipe network 30 is illustrateddiagrammatically. Chilled water is provided to the heat exchangermodules 48 from the chilled water supply pipe 56 through a supply fluidconduit 120 that is routed below the heat exchanger modules 48 and alongthe inside of the heat exchanger modules 48 adjacent the center aisle100 (shown in FIG. 4). Water is returned from the water circulation tube118 through a return fluid conduit 122 that returns the water afterpassing through the water circulation tube 118 to the fluid return pipe58. A flow control valve 124 controls flow of the fluid through thesupply fluid conduit 120. Alternatively, the control valve 124 could beincorporated into the return fluid conduit 122. A pressure gauge 126 maybe provided that measures the differential pressure between the supplyfluid conduit 120 and the return fluid conduit 122. The flow controlvalve 124 is adjusted according to information provided by the pressuregauge 126. The water circulation tubes 118 include inlets 128 that areconnected to the supply fluid conduits 120 and outlets 130 that areconnected to the return fluid conduit 122.

Referring to FIG. 6B, a heat exchange cooling fan tower 28 is shown inphantom that houses a plurality of fan modules 44. Each fan module 44contains two fans 46. The fans 46 may be variable speed fans that can beelectronically controlled to provide balanced cooling depending upon thetemperature generated within each layer of the portable data center 10.Non-variable speed fans may also be provided that function in the samemanner as the variable speed fans, but would not offer the flexibilityof a variable speed fan 46.

Referring to FIG. 6C, a heat exchanger/cooling fan tower 28 is shown inisolation. The tower 28 includes a tower frame 50 to which thecomponents of the tower 28 are attached. The tower 28 is connected byhanger clamps 52 to a channel 70 that is in turn secured to the insideof the shipping container 12. The heat exchanger modules 48 areseparated by heat exchanger module dividers 134. The heat exchangermodule dividers 134 are located at the same level as the rack shelves 80(shown in FIG. 3). The fan modules 44, heat exchanger modules 48 andspaces between the rack shelves 80 are aligned to create differentlayers of the air flow path 96. If variable speed fans 46 are provided,the speed of air circulation in each of the respective verticallystacked layers of the closed-loop air flow path 96 may be balanced oradjusted depending upon the cooling requirements in that layer. Airflowing in each layer of the air flow path 96 passes over the fins 136causing heat to be transferred from the air flow path 96 to the fins 136and water circulation tube 120 so that heat may be transferred to fluidin the fluid return pipe 58.

Referring to FIG. 6D, the heat exchanger/cooling fan tower 28 isdiagrammatically illustrated partially in cross-section. The heatexchanger/cooling fan tower 28 is suspended from a channel 70 that issecured to the top wall 16 of the shipping container 12. Hanger clamps52 are secured to the channel 70. A top hanger bracket 140 secures thetop of the tower 28 to the clamp 52. A base closure panel 142 spans thebottom of the tower 28 between an air inlet side 144 and an air outletside 146 of the tower 28. The closed-loop air flow path is illustratedgenerally by arrows 96 that show the air entering the air inlet side 144through the fan modules 44 as propelled by the fans 46. Air is thendirected to the heat exchanger modules 48 where the air is cooled priorto being exhausted through the air outlet side 146 of the heat exchangermodule 48.

The top hanger bracket 140 is connected to the hanger clamps 52 by afastener 148. An elastomeric shock absorber 150 is received in thefastener 148 between the top hanger bracket 140 and the hanger clamps 52to isolate the tower 28 from shock and vibration and structural twist inthe container. The tower 28 is anchored to the floor 20 on its lower endwith conventional fasteners.

Chilled water is circulated through the chilled water circulation pipenetwork via the chilled fluid supply pipe 56 through the supply fluidconduit 120 to the heat exchanger modules 48. Water is returned from themodules 48 through the return fluid conduit 122 and subsequently to thefluid return pipe 58.

Referring to FIG. 7, a plurality of data processing modules 152 areshown in two banks on opposite sides of the shipping container 12. Theterm “data processing modules 152” refers to computer equipment, such asservers or data storage apparatus. The data processing modules 152 areplaced on the rack shelves 80 of the computer racks 26. Data cables 154are shown on the right side of FIG. 7 as they are routed over thearticulated carrier 66 to the central cable support tray 68. The datacables 154 are connected to a network or other communication switch thatroutes data to users outside of the portable data center 10. Power lines156 are shown on the left side of FIG. 7 connected to the dataprocessing modules 152 with power being provided from the powerdistribution mains 62. The racks may be moved toward the center asindicated by the arrow overlying the central aisle 100. The data cables154 may remain connected to the data processing modules 152 because thearticulated carriers 66 hold the data cables 154 as they are movedtoward the center aisle 100. Slack, or a loop, in the power lines 156 isalso provided to permit the computer racks 26 to be moved in the centeraisle 100 without disconnecting the data processing modules 152 fromtheir power source.

This arrangement permits the computer racks 26 to be moved to the centeraisle so that individual components of the data processing modules 152may be repaired or replaced while remaining operational.

A cleat 158 that engages one of the skids 102 is also shown in FIG. 7.The cleats 158 hold the end of the skids 102 adjacent the side wall 14.The cleats 158 hold the computer racks 26 when in use, except for whenthe computer racks 26 are moved to the center aisle for service. Thecleats 158 are also important to hold the skids 102 when the portabledata center 10 is transported.

Clamps 160 are provided for the shock mount support coils 104. Theclamps 160 are two-part clamps that engage each coil of the wire ropefrom which the shock mount support coils 104 are formed. The shock mountsupport coils 104 provide a self-damping spring mount for the computerracks 26.

Connection of the top of the computer racks 26 to the container isprovided by the upper rack mounts 78 that are secured to channels 70that are attached to the shipping container 12. The upper rack mount 78is connected to the computer rack 26 by a pin 162. The pin 162 isreceived by an elastomeric pin receptacle 164 that is secured tocomputer racks 26. The pin 162 is lifted to be separated from theelastomeric pin receptacle 164 to permit the computer racks 26 to berepositioned in the center aisle 100 for service. The pin 162 connectionto the receptacle 164 permits the computer racks 26 to move to a limitedextent in the vertical direction with the pin receptacle 164 beingmovable along the length of the pin 162. The top of the rack 26 may alsomove to a limited extent in the horizontal plane of the pin receptacle164. The pin 162 may compress the pin receptacle 164 in the direction ofmovement of the top of the rack 26. Operation and function of the upperrack mount 78, pins 162, and pin receptacle 164 will be more fullydescribed with reference to FIGS. 8A-C below.

Referring now to FIG. 8A, the upper rack mount 78 that connects the topof the rack 26 to the top wall 16 is illustrated in greater detail.Channel anchors 168 are secured by fasteners 170 to the channels 70.Fasteners 170 extend through a top plate 172 of the upper rack mount 78.A handle 174 is provided on the pin 162 to facilitate lifting the pin162 when it is desired to release the rack 26. The pin 162 is receivedby the hanger bracket 176 in pin receiving bore 178 formed in the hangerbracket 176. The pin extends through the elastomeric pin receptacle 164through a hole 180.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the pin 162 is shown being lifted by the handle174 through pin receiving bore 178. The hanger bracket 176 of the upperrack mount 78 remains stationary while the rack 26 is shifted into thecenter aisle 100 after the pin 162 is lifted out of the hole 180 in theelastomeric pin receptacle 164.

Referring to FIG. 8C, the pin 162 is shown removed from the pinreceiving bore 178 in the hanger bracket 176. The hanger bracket 176 isaffixed to the top plate 172.

Referring to FIG. 9, the shock mount support coils generally indicatedby reference numeral 104 are formed by wound coils of wire rope 182 thatare clamped by clamps 160. One set of clamps 160 is secured to skid 102,while the other clamp 160 is secured to the bottom of the computer rack26. The clamps 160 are split along their length to receive the coils ofwire rope 182. The skid 102 is located in the cleat 158 by a cleat pinnotch 184 that mates with the cleat 158 (shown in FIG. 7). Cleat guidesurfaces 186 are also provided to facilitate aligning the cleat pinnotch 184 with the cleat 158.

Referring to FIG. 10A, the structure and operation of the dolly 98 as itlifts the computer rack 26 will be explained in greater detail. Thedolly 98 includes a platform 190 that engages and lifts the weight ofthe computer rack 26 off of the shock mount support coils 104 that areformed by the wire rope 182 and allow the skids 102 to move along thefloor of the portable data center 10. The dolly 98 includes swivelcasters 192 that permit the dolly 98 to move the computer rack 26 intothe center aisle and along with center aisle 100, if required. Theswivel casters 192 are secured to the body 194 of the dolly 98. Thedolly includes a height adjuster 196 that, as illustrated, is a screwjack that is turned to adjust the height of a pivotable support, such asa four-bar link between the platform 190 and the body 194 of the dolly98. The dolly height adjuster 196 is provided with a handle or wrench198 that is used to turn the height adjuster 196. Alternatively, thedolly may incorporate a lever action jack mechanism that raises thedolly platform, which has two discrete positions.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the dolly 98 is adjusted to a lower height so thatit may slide underneath the computer rack 26. After the dolly 98 isplaced under the computer rack 26, the wrench 198 is used to raise theplatform 190 until it lifts the computer rack 26 as it is turned by thewrench 198. As the platform 190 lifts the computer rack 26, the shockmount support coils 104 are unloaded thereby allowing the skids 102 toslide along the floor of the portable data container 10.

Referring to FIG. 11, the portable data center 10 is shown in blockdiagram format. The control station 108 is in communication with atleast one internal temperature sensor 202 for sensing the temperaturewithin the shipping container 12, an external temperature sensor 204 forsensing the temperature outside the shipping container 12, an internalhumidity sensor 206 for sensing the humidity inside the shippingcontainer 12, and an external humidity sensor 208 for sensing thehumidity outside the shipping container 12. The control station 108 isalso in communication with tamper switches 210, 212, and 214. Tamperswitch 210 senses whether the front bulkhead access panel 88 is open.Tamper switch 212 senses whether the back bulkhead access panel 94 isopen. The tamper switch 214 senses whether an access door (not shown)associated with the data connection port 36 is open. The control station108 is further in communication with water sensors 218, 220. The watersensors 218, 220 sense whether there is water on the floor 20 (shown inFIG. 1) within the vicinity of the water sensors 218, 220. The controlstation 108 is also in communication with a dehumidifier 222, a mainpower switch 224 (shown in FIG. 12), and a chiller 226. The controlstation 108 sends control signals to the dehumidifier 222, main powerswitch 224, and chiller 226 based on input received from sensors202-220.

Referring to FIG. 12, an input/output relationship between the sensors202-220, the control station 108, the dehumidifier 222, the main powerswitch 224, and the chiller 226 is shown. The control station 108receives signals indicative of measurements taken from sensors 202-220respectively. Based on the signals, the control station 108 may issueon/off commands to the dehumidifier 222, main power switch 224, andchiller 226. It should be understood that while the dehumidifier andchiller are Boolean (on/off) devices, they could also be scalar valuesinputs. For example, if the control station 108 receives a signal fromsmoke detector 216 indicating the presence of smoke within the shippingcontainer 12, control station 108 will issue an off command for mainpower switch 224. Further, if the control station 108 receives a signalfrom any of tamper switch sensors 210, 212, or 214 indicatingrespectively that one or more of the front bulkhead access panel 88, theback bulkhead access panel 94, or the access panel to the powerdistribution mains 62 are open, the control station 108 will issue an oncommand to the dehumidifier 222. If the control station 108 receives asignal from the internal temperature sensor 202 indicating that thetemperature within the container 12 is above a predetermined thresholdthe control station 108 will issue an on command to the chiller 226.

Referring to FIG. 13, a control strategy for cooling the data processingmodules 152 while minimizing the power consumed by fans 46 is shown. Atstep 228, the temperature of the air flowing through each of the layers,e.g., T_(xm), is measured. The temperatures may be measured, forexample, at each of the data processing modules 152 within each of thelayers or at a single location within each of the layers.

At step 230, an apparent temperature for each of the layers, T_(xapp),is determined. If multiple temperature measurements are taken within alayer, e.g., T_(xm1), T_(xm2), and T_(xm3), the apparent temperature forthat layer may be the average of the temperature measurements, e.g.,T_(xapp)=(T_(xm1)+T_(xm2)+T_(xm3))÷3, or the maximum of the temperaturemeasurements, e.g., T_(xapp)=max[T_(xm1), T_(xm2), T_(xm3)].

At step 232, a proposed air flow rate for each of the layers, e.g.,X_(plf) is determined based on the difference between the apparenttemperature for that layer and a desired temperature, e.g., A1_(plf)=ƒ(T_(A1app)−T_(des)).

Alternatively, at step 232′, a proposed fan speed for the fans 46 withina layer, X_(pfs), is determined based on the difference between theapparent temperature for that layer and a desired temperature, e.g., A1_(pfs)=ƒ(T_(A1app)−T_(des)).

At step 233′, a proposed air flow rate for each of the layers, e.g.,X_(plf) is determined based on the proposed fan speeds. For example, ifthe proposed fan speed for layer A1 is υ, the proposed air flow rate forlayer A1 is based on υ, e.g., A1 _(plf)=ƒ(υ). Further, if the proposedfan speed for layer A2 is φ, the proposed air flow rate for layer A2 isbased on φ, e.g., A2 _(plf)=ƒ(φ). Still further, the air flow rate for alayer may be linearly proportional to the proposed fan speed for thatlayer.

At step 236, a proposed air flow rate for each of the banks isdetermined based on the proposed air flow rates of the layers. Forexample, if the proposed air flow rates for layers A1, A2, A3, A4, andA5 are A1 _(plf), A2 _(plf), A3 _(plf), A4 _(plf), and A5 _(plf)respectively, the proposed air flow rate for bank A would be equal tothe sum of A1 _(plf), A2 _(plf), A3 _(plf), A4 _(plf), and A5 _(plf),e.g., A_(pbf)=A1 _(plf)+A2 _(plf)+A3 _(plf)+A4 _(plf)+A5 _(plf).

At step 238, a difference between the flow rates for each of theadjacent pairs of banks is determined, e.g., Δ_(pbf)=A_(pbf)−B_(pbf).

At step 240, it is determined whether any of the differences is greaterthan a predetermined threshold, e.g., Δ_(pbf)>T.

If yes, at step 242, the proposed air flow rates for the banks are eachmodified by a respective scaling factor, α_(x), such that the scalingfactor for one of the banks is substantially equal to a quotient of amaximum of the proposed air flow rates and the proposed air flow ratefor the one bank. For example, if max[A_(pbf), B_(pbf)]=A_(pbf), thenα_(B)=A_(pbf)÷B_(pbf) and α_(A)=1. Further, Bx_(mfr), the modified flowrate for layer Bx, =α_(B)Bx_(plf). Also, α_(B)B_(pbf)=α_(B)(B1 _(plf)+B2_(plf)+B3 _(plf)+B4 _(plf)+B5 _(plf)).

If no, at step 244, the proposed air flow rates for the banks are eachmodified by a respective scaling factor, β_(x), such that the proposedair flow rates for each adjacent pair satisfy a continuity criteria,e.g., the air flow rates are substantially equal:β_(A)A_(pbf)=β_(B)B_(pbf), and the sum of the modified flow rates foreach adjacent pair is substantially equal to the sum of the proposed airflow rates for each adjacent pair respectively, e.g.,β_(A)A_(pbf)+β_(B)B_(pbf), =A_(pbf)+B_(pbf). Further, Ax_(mfr), themodified flow rate for layer Ax, =β_(A)Ax_(plf) and Bx_(mfr), themodified flow rate for layer Bx, =β_(B)Bx_(plf). Also,β_(A)A_(pbf)=β_(A)(A1 _(plf)+A2 _(plf)+A3 _(plf)+A4 _(plf)+A5 _(plf))and β_(B)B_(pbf)=β_(B)(B1 _(plf)+B2 _(plf)+B3 _(plf)+B4 _(plf)+B5_(plf)).

Alternatively, if no, at step 244′, the proposed air flow rates for thebanks are each modified by a respective scaling factor, γ_(x), such thatthe proposed air flow rates for each adjacent pair satisfy a continuitycriteria, e.g., the air flow rates are substantially equal:γ_(A)A_(pbf)=γ_(B)B_(pbf), the scaling factors are at least equal toone, e.g., γ_(A), γ_(B)≧1, and the size of the scaling factors, e.g.,(γ_(A) ²+γ_(B) ²)^(1/2), is minimized. Techniques, such as theKarush-Kuhn-Tucker technique, may be used to find γ_(A) and γ_(B).Further, Ax_(mfr), the modified flow rate for layer Ax, =γ_(A)Ax_(plf)and Bx_(mfr), the modified flow rate for layer Bx, =γ_(B)Bx_(plf). Also,γ_(A)A_(pbf)=γ_(A)(A1 _(plf)+A2 _(plf)+A3 _(plf)+A4 _(plf)+A5 _(plf))and γ_(B)B_(pbf)=γ_(B)(B1 _(plf)+B2 _(plf)+B3 _(plf)+B4 _(plf)+B5_(plf)).

At step 246, modified fan speeds are determined based on the modifiedflow rates.

At step 248, the fans 46 are controlled to achieve the modified fanspeeds.

Individual racks 26 may also be considered banks. Two racks will form anadjacent pair if the air exiting one of the racks 26 next enters theother of the two racks 26. Applying the strategy as shown in FIG. 13 toracks 26, an individual proposed air flow rate will be determined foreach fan 46, by layer, within each of the racks 26. Respective scalingfactors will be applied to each of the individual proposed air flowrates to determine modified flow rates and the fans 46 will becontrolled, by rack and layer, to achieve the modified flow rates.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described,it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe allpossible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in thespecification are words of description rather than limitation, and it isunderstood that various changes may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

1. A movable data center comprising: a portable container having a topwall and a bottom wall; a plurality of operable computer systemsassembled to a of racks that are disposed in the portable container, theplurality of racks being movably secured to the container with a shockabsorbing mount, the shock absorbing mount including a base support anda top restraint, wherein the base support is attached to the bottom walland the top restraint is attached to the top wall of the container; adata link connecting the computer system to a terminal in the container,the data link capable of providing network connectivity; a power supplylink for the computer system that is connected to a power supplydisposed outside of the container; and a cooling system including a heatexchange module that takes heat generated by the computer system frominside the container and transfers the heat outside the container. 2.The data center of claim 1 wherein the base support of the shockabsorbing mount includes a self damping resilient spring.
 3. The datacenter of claim 1 wherein the base support of the shock absorbing mountincludes at least one coil of wire rope that is wound about a horizontalaxis and secured between the rack and the container.
 4. The data centerof claim 1 wherein the top restraint includes a pin that is secured to abracket that is attached to the container, wherein the pin is receivedin a bushing that defines an opening that receives the pin and permitslimited movement of the pin relative to the bushing.
 5. The data centerof claim 4 wherein the pin is retained by a bracket that supports thepin for vertical movement to allow the rack to be disconnected from thecontainer.
 6. The data center of claim 5 wherein the bushing is aresilient block connected to the rack with the opening facing a top wallof the container that receives the pin, and wherein the pin is permittedto move in any direction in a horizontal plane above the rack.
 7. Thedata center of claim 1 wherein the data link includes an ethernet switchdisposed in the container that is accessible from outside the container.8. The data center of claim 1 wherein the power supply link includes atleast one electrical panel of circuit breakers that is attached to aninside portion of the container, and wherein the power supply linkfurther comprises power wiring to the computer system.
 9. The datacenter of claim 1 wherein the power supply link also provides power to adehumidifier disposed within the container.
 10. The data center of claim1 wherein the power supply link also provides power to an ethernetswitch.
 11. The data center of claim 1 wherein a plurality of racks areprovided and wherein each rack supports a plurality of servers that areconfigured to cooperate as a unit to provide data processing for acomputer network disposed outside the container.
 12. The data center ofclaim 11 wherein at least one of the racks supports a plurality of datastorage apparatus.
 13. A movable data center comprising: a portablecontainer; an operable computer system assembled to a rack that isdisposed in the portable container, the rack being secured to thecontainer with a shock absorbing mount, the shock absorbing mountincluding a base support and a top restraint; a data link connecting thecomputer system to a terminal in the container; a power supply link forthe computer system that is connected to a power supply disposed outsideof the container; and a cooling system including a heat exchange modulethat takes heat generated by the computer system from inside thecontainer and transfers the heat outside the container; wherein thecontainer includes a floor that is secured to the container by a shockabsorbing mounting arrangement and wherein the base support includes atleast one skid that is secured to the rack through a shock absorbingmechanism and slidable along the floor.
 14. A movable data centercomprising: a portable container; an operable computer system assembledto a rack that is disposed in the portable container, the rack beingsecured to the container with a shock absorbing mount, the shockabsorbing mount including a base support and a top restraint, whereinthe base support is attached to the bottom wall and the top restraint isattached to the top wall of the container; a data link connecting thecomputer system to a terminal in the container; a power supply link forthe computer system that is connected to a power supply disposed outsideof the container; and a cooling system including a heat exchange modulethat takes heat generated by the computer system from inside thecontainer and transfers the heat outside the container wherein thecooling system is a chilled water cooling system for cooling thecomputer system including a chiller located outside the container thatprovides chilled water to the heat exchange module.
 15. The data centerof claim 14 wherein the chiller is disposed in a second portablecontainer.
 16. The data center of claim 14 wherein the chiller is partof a static structure located adjacent the container.